FAQs
Electrical cords and extension leads
The independent technical regulator responsible for electrical and gas safety and equipment efficiency, Energy Safe Victoria, has not placed any specific regulatory requirements on electrical cords or extension leads.
It has pointed out, however, that under the Victorian Occupational Health and Safety Act (2004) employers have a legal duty to provide and maintain a working environment that is safe and without risks to health. This includes ensuring that plant and systems of work at the workplace are healthy and safe.
In the CDROM Managing Safety in Your Workplace designed for small to medium businesses, WorkSafe Victoria advises that electrical safety testing and tagging for all plug-in equipment (inculding power boards and cords) falls under the general obligations of Section 21(2)(a)of the Act. The employer is advised to introduce a safety testing protocol. (A booklet accompanies the CDROM, and both are free from WorkSafe. Contact them on 03 9641 1333 or email on publications@workcover.vic.gov.au)
The ETU's Southern States Branch has issued an Alert (No. 24) warning to persons installing different rated plug tops and plug sockets to extension cords. This latest alert, and all previous ones can be downloaded from the ETU website.
The Australian New Zealand Standard AS/NZS3760 In-Service Safety Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment is nationally accepted as the minimum safety protocol for the workplace, and applies to plug-in or non-fixed equipment. The VTHC has been advised that WorkSafe Victoria is now "actively enforcing the standard and inspecting all types of premises to confirm introduction of minimum safety testing programs consistent with AS3760." The standard applies to all types of electrical equipment in offices, factories and so on (ie tools, machines, computers, even jugs and cooling fans).
WorkSafe has also released a Guidance Note in November 2003: Lock out and tagging of plant which provides information to assists people in control of workplaces to develop safe isolation procedures to minimise the risk of injury while plant is being inspected, repaired, maintained, assessed, adjusted or cleaned
Further, due to a serious electrocution, several government departments (for example the Department of Education and Training) have issued instructions regarding all electrical equipment. Electrical equipment, which includes power cords and boards, computers, cleaning equipment, equipment in craft rooms and so on, must be checked and tagged in accordance with AS 3760.
The checking and tagging of equipment as per AS 3760 can be done either by a qualified electrician or by someone who has successfully completed an approved course at a TAFE college. There are also a number of electrical contractors who specialise in the checking and tagging equipment - check the Yellow Pages.
Advice to health and safety reps
Tagging and checking of all "in-service" electrical plug-in equipment in accordance with AS3760 should now be the norm in all workplaces. If this is not the case in your workplace, as an OHS rep, you should approach your employer and request that this be done as soon as possible. If it is not done, then the employer is breaching his/her duty under Section 21.
If the workplace is a
construction site, then the
Industry Standard for Electrical Installations on Construction Sites must apply (and also another document which outlines some of the changes to it). WorkSafe has also developed a document answering Frequently Asked Questions on the standard.
Both the Electrical Safety Act, 1998 and the Electrical Safety (Installations) Regulations apply, as well the Occupational Health and Safety Act, 1985. In addition, number of Australian Standards, including AS3760, are referenced in the Industry Standard, and so are mandatory.
For more information, contact your union.